Dart Game

ABSTRACT

A dart game and related method. The game having a generally flat target surface having a two-dimensional pattern of targets supported thereon to emulate a golf course. The pattern of targets has a plurality of par-3 golf hole targets, a plurality of par-4 golf hole targets, a plurality of par-5 golf hole targets, a plurality of out-of-bound areas and a plurality of water hazards areas. Each of the golf hole targets has at least a fairway area and green area. Each green area has a hole, a green portion surrounding the hole and a fringe area surrounding the green portion. Each of the plurality of par-5 golf holes has two landing zones located within the fairway area. Each of the plurality of par-4 golf holes has one landing zone located within the fairway area. The method includes throwing darts at the targets and scoring the game depending on the locations at which the darts impact the targets.

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application does not claim the benefit of pending application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed toward a dart game, and more specifically, toward a combination dart/golf game.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of dart games is known in the prior art. More specifically, dart games have been devised and utilized for the purpose of entertaining users. By playing the games in a suggested manner are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved dartboard game which can be used for assessing one's dart throwing accuracy by scoring hits required by the rules of the game.

Accordingly, there is a need for a safety apparatus that addresses the needs set out above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the dart game of the present invention, a generally flat target surface having a two-dimensional pattern of targets supported thereon to emulate a golf course. The pattern of targets has a plurality of par-3 golf hole targets, a plurality of par-4 golf hole targets, a plurality of par-5 golf hole targets, a plurality of out-of-bound areas and a plurality of water hazards areas. Each of the golf hole targets has at least a fairway area and green area. Each green area has a hole, a green portion surrounding the hole, a fringe area surrounding the green portion. Each of the plurality of par-5 golf holes has two landing zones located within the fairway area. Each of the plurality of par-4 golf holes has one landing zone located within the fairway area.

In an aspect of the method for playing a dart game of the present invention, the method includes providing a generally flat target surface having a two-dimensional pattern of targets, throwing darts at the targets and scoring the game depending on the locations at which the darts impact the targets.

In some aspects, for each of the plurality of par-5 holes, the throwing darts at the target includes throwing a first dart toward one of the two landing zones, throwing a second dart toward the second of the two landing zones and throwing a third dart toward the green area.

In some aspects, for each of the plurality of par-4 holes, the throwing darts at the target includes throwing a first dart toward the landing zone and throwing a second dart toward the green area.

In some aspects, for each of the plurality of par-3 holes, the throwing darts at the includes throwing a dart toward the green area.

In some aspects, if a dart impacts one of the plurality of water hazards or one of the plurality of out of bounds areas, the method includes throwing another dart toward the targets.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out in the specification. The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up of an embodiment a par-3 golf hole of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of an embodiment a par-4 golf hole of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up of an embodiment a par-5 golf hole of the present invention.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is generally directed toward a dart game, and more specifically, toward a combination dart/golf game.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the dart game 10 of the present invention is disclosed. Dart game 10 includes a two-dimensional pattern of targets 12 supported thereon to emulate a golf course. The pattern of targets 12 includes a plurality of par-3 golf hole targets 20, a plurality of par-4 golf hole targets 40, a plurality of par-5 golf hole targets 60, a plurality of out of bound areas 82 and a plurality of water hazard areas 80.

In general, the method for playing the dart game 10 includes throwing darts at the pattern of targets 12, and in particular, toward each of the golf holes in order, i.e. golf hole number 1, number 2, etc. The scoring of the game is counted in strokes as with the traditional game of golf and is dependent on the locations at which the darts impact the targets and based on intended hole. For example, if three darts are thrown toward the hole number one and each dart counts as two strokes, the score for the first hole would be six strokes.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an embodiment of a par-3 golf hole target 20 is disclosed. Target 20 includes a tee box area 22 that identifies the golf hole, e.g. hole number three, and a green area 30. Green area 30 includes a hole 32 having a dot 33. An inner green portion 34 surrounds the hole 32, and an outer green portion 36 surrounds the inner green portion 34. A fringe area 38 surrounds the outer green portion 36.

The method for playing the dart game 10 with respect to the plurality of par-3 golf holes targets 20 includes throwing a dart at the target golf hole toward the green area. The scoring may be based on where the dart impacts the target. For example, if the dart hits the hole 32, the resulting score would be one stroke, otherwise known as a hole in one. If the dart strikes the inner green portion 34, the resulting score would be two strokes. If the dart strikes the outer green portion 36 of the resulting score would be three strokes. And if the dart strikes the fringe area 38. The resulting score would be four strokes.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an embodiment of a par-4 golf hole target 40 is disclosed. Target 40 includes a tee box area 42 that identifies the golf hole, e.g. hole number four, fairway area 44, and a green area 50. Green area 50 includes a hole 52 having a dot 53. A green portion 56 surrounds the hole 52. A fringe area 58 surrounds the green portion 56. In some embodiments, the green area 50 may include an inner green portion and an outer green portion.

Each of the plurality of golf hole targets 40 includes a landing zone 46 located within the fairway area 44. The landing zone 46 has a center ring 48 and a center dot 49 located at the approximate center of center ring 48.

The method for playing the dart game 10 with respect to the plurality of par-4 golf holes targets 40 includes throwing a first dart toward the fairway area 44 and a second dart is thrown toward the green area 50. The scoring for the first dart will be based upon where the dart hits the fairway 44. For example, if the dart hits the fairway outside of the landing zone 46, the resulting score would be two strokes. If, however, the dart hits inside the landing zone 46, the resulting score would be one stroke. Additionally, should the dart hit the center ring 48 located within the landing zone 46, the resulting score would be a zero stroke. The second dart will be thrown toward the green area 50 with the related scoring being based upon where the dart lands on the target. For example, if the dart lands on the fringe area 58, the resulting score would be three strokes. If the dart lands on the green portion 54, the resulting score would be two strokes. If the dart lands on the bowl 50 to the resulting score would be one stroke. By way of example, the score for a par-4 golf target hole 40 can be shown as follows: should the first dart land in the fairway area 44 outside the landing zone 46 resulting in two stokes and the second dart lands on the green portion 54 resulting in two strokes, the resulting score for the entire hole would be four strokes (2+2=4).

Additionally, various combinations of dart throws may result in a hole-in-one. For example, if the first dart hits the center dot 49 of the center ring 48 of the landing zone 46, or if the first dart hits the center ring 48 but not the center dot 49 and the second dart hits the hole 52, the resulting score may be a hole-in-one, and count as one stroke for the hole.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an embodiment of a par-5 golf hole target 60 is disclosed. Target 60 includes a tee box area 62 that identifies the golf hole, e.g. hole number six, fairway area 64, and a green area 70. Green area 70 includes a hole 72 having a dot 73. A green portion 76 surrounds the hole 72. A fringe area 78 surrounds the green portion 76. In some embodiments, the green area 70 may include an inner green portion and an outer green portion. Each of the plurality of golf hole targets 60 includes two landing zone 46 located within the fairway area 64. Each of the landing zones 65, 84 has a center ring 66, 86 and a center dot 67, 87 located at the approximate center of center ring 66, 86.

The method for playing the dart game 10 with respect to the plurality of par-5 golf holes targets 60 includes throwing a first dart and a second dart toward the fairway area 64 and a third dart is thrown toward the green area 70. The scoring for the first two darts will be based upon where the darts hits the fairway 64. For example, if the first dart hits the fairway outside of the landing zone 66, the resulting score would be two strokes, and if, however, the second dart hits inside the landing zone 66, the resulting score would be one stroke. Additionally, should either of the first two darts hit the center ring 66, 86 located within either of landing zones 65, 84, the resulting score would be a zero stroke.

The third dart will be thrown toward the green area 70 with the related scoring being based upon where the dart lands on the target. For example, if the third dart lands on the fringe area 78, the resulting score would be three strokes. If the dart lands on the green portion 74, the resulting score would be two strokes. If the dart lands on the hole 72 to the resulting score would be one stroke.

By way of example, the score for a par-5 golf target hole 60 can be shown as follows: should the first dart land in the fairway area 64 outside the landing zone 65 resulting in two stokes, the second dart land in the fairway area 64 inside the landing zone 84 resulting in one stoke, and the third dart lands on the green portion 74 resulting in two strokes, the resulting score for the entire hole would be five strokes (2+1+2=4).

Additionally, various combinations of dart throws may result in an albatross, otherwise known as a double-eagle, i.e. a par-5 hole with a score of two strokes. For example, if either of the first two darts hitting either the center dots 67, 87 of the landing zones 65, 84, the second of the first two darts hitting within the other landing zone 65, 84 and the third dart hitting the center hole 72.

The method of playing the golf or the dart game 10 may also include attempting to avoid particular areas, particular targets which have been identified as a water hazard 80 and an out of bound area 82. When a dart hits one of these areas. The scoring is reflected much the same way as with a traditional game of golf i.e. a penalty stroke and the requirement to re-throw the dart. For example, throwing a dart toward a par-3 golf hole 20. The first dart thrown lands within an out of bound area 82. The penalty strokes would count as two strokes and requiring the throwing of an additional dart. Assuming the second dart lands in a water hazard 80, an additional two penalty strokes would be added and requiring a third dart to be thrown. Assuming the third dart lands on the inner green portion 32 results in a score of two strokes. The resulting total score for this par-3 hole would be six strokes. (2+2+2=6)

The exact specifications and materials used in the manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention may vary upon manufacturing.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment(s) were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

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 9. (canceled) 10: A method for playing a dart game, comprising: providing a generally flat target surface having a two-dimensional pattern of targets supported thereon to emulate a golf course, the pattern of targets having a plurality of par-3 golf hole targets, a plurality of par-4 golf hole targets, a plurality of par-5 golf hole targets, a plurality of out-of-bound areas and a plurality of water hazards areas, each of the plurality of par-5 golf holes having a par-5 fairway and a green area, the par-5 fairway having two landing zones, each located within the par-5 fairway, each of the plurality of par-4 golf holes having a par-4 fairway and a green area, the par-4 fairway having one landing zone located within the par-4 fairway, each of the par-3 golf holes having a green area each of the green areas having a hole with a center dot, a green portion surrounding the hole, and a fringe area surrounding the green portion, each of the landing zones having a center ring and a center dot located at the approximate center of center ring; for each of the plurality of par-5 golf holes, throwing a first dart toward one of the two landing zones, throwing a second dart toward the second of the two landing zones and throwing a third dart toward the green area; for each of the plurality of par-4 holes, throwing a first dart toward the landing zone and throwing a second dart toward the green area; for each of the plurality of par-3 holes, throwing a dart toward the green area. for each dart thrown toward a landing zone, adding two strokes to an overall score when the dart hits the fairway outside of the landing zone, adding one stroke to the overall score for each dart that hits inside the landing zone but outside of the center ring of the landing zone, adding zero strokes to the overall score for each dart that hits inside the center ring of the landing zone; for each dart thrown toward a green area, adding three strokes to the overall score when the dart hits the fringe area, adding two stokes to the overall score when the dart hits the green portion, adding one stroke to the overall score when the dart hits the hole, adding zero strokes to the overall score when the dart his the center dot, for each dart thrown toward a landing zone that hits for each dart that hits one of the plurality of water hazard areas or one of the plurality of out of bounds areas, continuing throwing one or more darts toward the landing zone until the one or more darts impacts either the landing zone or the fairway, and adding two strokes to the overall score. 